Behave

A novel of passion and ambition based on the life of one of the most controversial scientists--and mothers--of the 20th century In 1920, when she graduated from Vassar College with a degree in psychology, Rosalie Rayner took a coveted position at the Johns Hopkins research lab to assist charismatic John B. Watson, the man who pioneered behaviorist psychology. Together, Watson and Rayner conducted experiments on hundreds of babies to prove behaviorist principles of nurture over nature. One such experiment was the incredibly controversial "Little Albert" study, which which they fear-conditioned an infant. Watson and Rayner also embarked on a scandalous affair that cost them both their jobs. The Watsons' parenting book, Psychological Care of Infant and Child , which emphasized emotional detachment, was a bestseller and affected the upbringings of generations of American children--but Rosalie, now a mother herself, had to confront its tenets... From the author of The Spanish Bow comes a lush, harrowing novel based on the real life story of Rosalie Rayner Watson, one of the most controversial scientists?and mothers?of the 20th century "The mother begins to destroy the child the moment it's born," wrote the founder of behaviorist psychology, John B. Watson, whose 1928 parenting guide was revered as the child-rearing bible. For their dangerous and "mawkish" impulses to kiss and hug their child, "most mothers should be indicted for psychological murder." Behave is the story of Rosalie Rayner, Watson's ambitious young wife and the mother of two of his children. In 1920, when she graduated from Vassar College, Rayner was ready to make her mark on the world. Intelligent, beautiful, and unflappable, she won a coveted research position at Johns Hopkins assisting the charismatic celebrity psychologist John B. Watson. Together, Watson and Rayner conducted controversial experiments on hundreds of babies to prove behaviorist principles. They also embarked on a scandalous affair that cost them both their jobs?and recast the sparkling young Rosalie Rayner, scientist and thinker, as Mrs. John Watson, wife and conflicted, maligned mother, just another "woman behind a great man." With Behave , Andromeda Romano-Lax offers a provocative fictional biography of Rosalie Rayner Watson, a woman whose work influenced generations of Americans, and whose legacy has been lost in the shadow of her husband's. In turns moving and horrifying, Behave is a richly nuanced and disturbing novel about science, progress, love, marriage, motherhood, and what all those things cost a passionate, promising young woman. From the Hardcover edition In 1920, When She Graduated From Vassar College With Her Degree In Psychology, Rosalie Rayner Took A Coveted Position At The Johns Hopkins Research Lab To Assist The Charismatic John B. Watson, The Man Who Pioneered Behaviorist Psychology. Together, John Watson And Rosalie Rayner Conducted Experiments On Hundreds Of Babies To Prove Behaviorist Principles Of Nurture Over Nature. They Also Embarked On A Scandalous Affair That Cost Them Both Their Jobs. The Watsons' Bestselling Parenting Book, Psychological Care Of Infant And Child, Which Emphasized Emotional Detachment, Affected The Upbringings Of Generations Of American Children But Rosalie, Now A Mother Herself, Had To Confront Its Tenets Personally. With Behave, Andromeda Romano-lax Offers A Fictional Biography Of Rosalie Rayner Watson, A Woman Whose Lab Work Is Now Widely Repudiated But Who In Her Time Was At The Cutting Edge Of Parenting Psychology. This Novel Is In Turns Moving And Horrifying, A Thought-provoking And Page-turning Read About The Meaning Of Motherhood-- Andromeda Romano-lax. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [387]-388). "In 1920, when she graduated from Vassar College with her degree in psychology, Rosalie Rayner took a coveted position at the Johns Hopkins research lab to assist the charismatic John B. Watson, the man who pioneered behaviorist psychology. Together, John Watson and Rosalie Rayner conducted experiments on hundreds of babies to prove behaviorist principles of nurture over nature. They also embarked on a scandalous affair that cost them both their jobs. The Watsons' bestselling parenting book, Psychological Care of Infant and Child, which emphasized emotional detachment, affected the upbringings of generations of American children but Rosalie, now a mother herself, had to confront its tenets personally. With Behave, Andromeda Romano-Lax offers a fictional biography of Rosalie Rayner Watson, a woman whose lab work is now widely repudiated but who in her time was at the cutting edge of parenting psychology. This novel is in turns moving and horrifying, a thought-provoking and page-turning read about the meaning of motherhood"-- Provided by publisher Presents a fictionalized version of the life of Rosalie Rayner, a psychologist who married John Watson, a pioneer of behavorist psychology, as she confronts the implications of their work on parenting with her own experiences as a mother